Taking Time For Yourself

Posted by admin on July 29, 2015 in Uncategorized | Comments Off on 4 Ways To Manage Bunions Without Surgery

Bunions can range from mildly annoying to seriously debilitating. Regardless of the level of pain and annoyance that your bunions elicit, there are a number of ways that you can manage your bunions without having to result to having intensive surgery. Here are a few methods that can help you manage your bunions day-to-day. Orthotics Orthotics can help slow or stop the progression of your bunions by addressing the instability that causes the deformity. Orthotics are inserted into your shoes to help realign the bones in your foot and can also help in relieving some pain and pressure that bunions cause. You should keep in mind, however, that orthotics probably won’t be effective for treating your bunions long-term. While you can buy orthotics over the counter in drugstores, having orthotics that fit properly is key, so make sure you see a podiatrist or doctor who can help ensure you have ones that best suit you and your needs. Depending on the severity of your bunion, you may need to have orthotics specially made for you. Change Your Footwear Relieve pressure on your feet by changing the shoes you wear— continuing to wear your old shoes will only exacerbate the issue. The initial cause of your bunions was mostly likely the result of wearing narrow, pointed-toe footwear. Chances are, if they caused those bunions once, they’ll cause them again. When changing up your footwear, you’ll want to opt for shoes that are wider with a flexible sole, and make sure there’s enough space to accommodate the bunion. When purchasing your new shoes, make sure the toe box is wide enough to accommodate your toes and bunion without any pain. Sandals, running shoes, and footwear made of soft leather are a few options you should consider when changing up your footwear. Bunion Pads Use a moleskin or gel-filled pad to protect the bunion. These can be purchased in drugstores, so it’s a quick and easy way to manage a bunion. A moleskine or gel pad will act as a barrier between your toe and shoe, helping to reduce irritation and protect your bunion. While some bunion pads may be held against your foot with a loop that fits over your big toe, others are made with adhesive on one side so they can stick onto the bunion. Whichever bunion pad you choose, just be sure that your shoes are able to accommodate the moleskin or pad along with your foot, comfortably. Pain Relief If you find your bunions are causing you extreme pain, you may want to consider using painkillers to help ease any discomfort you’re experiencing. It’s important that you read the leaflet enclosed in the packaging and follow the recommended dose, so make sure to follow the directions properly. There are a few over-the-counter painkillers you may use to help with painful bunions. Ibuprofen, aspirin and paracetamol are some medications that might be recommended to you to help reduce any swelling and relieve pain. If your toe joint is swollen, you should use an ice pack, wrapped in something like a cloth or towel, to take help take the swelling down. Try doing this a few times a day in order to help with the pain and inflammation a bunion causes. These are just a few methods of bunion...

About 20% of adults have fallen arches, otherwise known as flatfoot. It can stem from childhood or start in adulthood, and it causes a variety of problems. Here are the best ways to tell if you have fallen arches, the common treatments, and what can happen if you choose to ignore the symptoms. Do You Have Fallen Arches? Home testing In some adults, it will be visible that your foot has lost its arch, or you may notice your ankle rotating inwards. It’s also possible you’ve just begun to experience pain but don’t notice any visual changes to the shape of your foot. There are a few easy ways you can check at home to see if you’re flatfooted. First, get the bottom of your foot wet, then stand on a surface that will clearly show your footprint, like a piece of black construction paper or a concrete sidewalk. If the imprint shows the entire bottom of your foot with no dry spot where your arch should be, you might have fallen arches. If you have a partner, you can also do the “too many toes” test. Stand in a normal position and have the other person squat behind you and look at your feet. If they can see your big toe peeking around your ankle, it might be time to see a podiatrist. Common symptoms Most adults with fallen arches will have symptoms. If the above home tests leave you feeling unsure, ask yourself the following questions: Do your feet get tired easily? Does it hurt to stand on your toes? Do you suffer from back and leg pain? Do you tend to have pain in the arches or heels? Have you noticed swelling along the inside bottom of your feet? If you answered yes to most or all of the questions, you should consult with a podiatrist right away and get a diagnosis. Keep in mind that if you have a history of broken bones or torn tendons in the foot, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, or damage to the tendon that extends from your lower leg to the bottom of your foot (PTT tendon), you’re at a greater risk for fallen arches. What Is The Treatment? If you’ve been fortunate and haven’t experienced any pain, the treatment for fallen arches is likely to be minimal. Your podiatrist might recommend that you rest your foot and apply ice if there is any swelling, tell you to avoid certain activities (like running, racquetball, tennis, etc.), teach you simple stretching exercises, recommend physical therapy, prescribe corticosteroids, or custom make an orthotic device for your foot. Orthotics are made to perfectly match up with the contour, shape, and movement of your foot in the hopes that it will improve the arch over time or, at a minimum, provide the correction your arch needs to support the rest of your body. In other cases in which orthotics don’t help, or if you are experiencing a great deal of pain, surgery may be indicated. But it won’t be a viable option in all patients. For example, if you have diabetes, take steroids, or are a heavy smoker, your doctor might want get your health a bit more stable before hand. The main objective of surgery is to correct any bone deformities as well as repair the...

If you are a busy parent, it isn't always easy to take time out of your day for yourself. Although focusing on your children is crucial, paying attention to your own needs can help you to be more effective. After all, how will you chase after your toddler if your foot is killing you? I used to procrastinate trips to the doctor, until one day when I couldn't ignore my painful foot anymore. I had injured by achilles tendon in a running accident, and I quickly discovered that it was impacting my life. I want every other parent out there to understand how doctors can help them, so that you don't end up sacrificing your own happiness.